John Abraham Critiques Indian Football's Current Crisis Amid ISL Suspension

John Abraham's Concerns for Indian Football

Bollywood star and co-owner of Northeast United FC, John Abraham, has labeled the present condition of Indian football as a 'shame.' His comments echo the sentiments of veteran players who have reached out to FIFA for assistance. This statement comes as the Indian Super League (ISL) remains on hold, leaving players, clubs, and supporters in a state of uncertainty.

In a video message featuring national team icons, Abraham expressed, 'Shame on us... this is what we have come to.' The video included prominent players like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan, who cautioned that Indian football risks 'permanent paralysis' if the current issues are not addressed swiftly.

Gurpreet emphasized, 'It’s January, and we should be engaging in competitive football in the Indian Super League.' Jhingan added, 'Instead, we are compelled by fear and desperation to voice what we all know.'

The players highlighted that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is failing to meet its obligations, urging FIFA to intervene to protect the sport's future in India. 'We are now facing a permanent paralysis. This is our final attempt to salvage what we can,' stated their joint message.

Chhetri stressed the need for clarity, protection, and a future for players, staff, owners, and fans alike. The appeal was framed not as a political issue but as a necessity, characterizing the situation as a humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis.

The ISL season for 2025-26 was suspended in July due to uncertainties surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). The agreement expired on December 8, leading to a contractual stalemate that necessitated Supreme Court involvement. A tender for commercial rights was issued under court supervision but did not attract any bidders.

On Thursday, 13 out of the 14 ISL clubs communicated to the AIFF their willingness to participate in a shortened season, provided there were no participation fees and the federation took on the organizational and operational costs.

The AIFF responded on Saturday, indicating that the start date for the delayed season would be announced next week after reviewing the Coordination Committee’s report. Following a meeting of its Emergency Committee, the federation confirmed its intention to conduct the league, with February 15 being considered as a potential start date.